Terps need someone to carry the load
If the Terps are to make a serious run in the NCAA Tournament, they need to find another attackman or midfielder who can carry the ball.
The three best teams in college lacrosse --Syracuse, North Carolina and Virginia -- like to play pressure defense and extend out because they have great athletes. Maryland, though, has only one ballhandler on its offense in attackman Ryan Young.
Against North Carolina Saturday, the Tar Heels pushed Maryland out so far the Terps were never able to settle into their 6-on-6 offense. Maryland has some good shooters in attackman Travis Reed and Grant Catalino, but they weren't serious threats because they can't carry and create space.
Maryland has to do a better job of beating the other team's short pole midfielders, and forcing slides. We'll find out what the Terps have come up with because they play Virginia Saturday night.
-- Mike Preston
Comments
The problem is the coaching. Cottle was a bad choice from the get go. He has never been creative and he never will be. Time to cut our losses find some new blood and energy.
Posted by: brwils67 | March 28, 2010 9:03 PM
I 100% agree with the above statement. How many GREAT players is UMD keep going to get under Cottle, only to keep having mediocre teams year in and year out. MD lax gets as good as talent as any other team in the nation, have probably the most televised games, and a great tradition. So when you put all these together, and constently have NOTHING to show for it, that usually means the coach has got to go.....but no, we will keep underacheiving and yet somehow cottle will keep coaching. I guess the problem is...who would they get to replace him?
Posted by: Ryan | March 29, 2010 8:01 AM
The offense is good and they do have more than enough talent...Catalino, Young, Reed, Yeatman,etc. and more in middies. The issue is execution and style of play. Maryland should not slow the game down but open it up. Transition and fast breaks is how they can win. The slow down method employed by Cottle does not fit the talent and speed of the players. When slowed down they give opponent chance to set up and not get decent shots.
Posted by: Sam Wahbe | March 29, 2010 6:26 PM